Rattlesnakes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=-galdW8VGEQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=ZvnvDH-bBt0

Western diamondback rattlesnakes kill more people in the USA than any other snake.  Along with the western diamondback, the prairie rattlesnake and the eastern diamondback rattlesnake are dangerous to humans. There bite can tear tissue and venom can enter the victims bloodstream.  Never try to suck venom out of your wound because the venom will most likely to enter your nervous system.  Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes strike with lightning fast reflexes and fangs can cut a nerve and bleed a person to death.  These bad boys are one of the biggest rattlesnakes in the USA.  I have never seen a prairie rattlesnake before but this picture gives  me a good idea of what this snake looks like.  The prairie rattler lives in Texas.  There are 15 venomous snakes in Texas including the western diamondback rattlesnake and the prairie rattlesnake.  There are 7 venomous snakes in North Carolina including the eastern diamondback rattlesnake.  Some people may mistake a rattlesnake for a desert sidewinder because they have a rattle.  We are talking only about three of thirty-three rattlesnakes.  Copperheads, Cottonmouths, Rattlesnakes, Pygmy Rattlesnakes, and Coral Snakes are all of the snakes that live in the UNITED STATES OF AMARICA.          

Black Mambas

http://www.YouTube.com/watch? Feature=player_detailpage&v=HHt0ZiaSXo4

Some people think the black mamba is the deadliest snake in the world. In fact, the mamba is the fastest and longest snake in Africa. They can rear up and attack a humans face. Black mambas are not really black, they are named for its inky colored mouth. Their bursts of speeds can be up to 12.5 miles per hour. Like all snakes, their fangs are hidden until they are ready to strike. Their bite is nearly painless, so it is hard to tell when a black mamba has struck you. A mamba hunts during the day so if you think you can hide in a tree or jump into a body of water, think again, the black mamba is an excellent swimmer and expert tree climber. One mamba can move a herd with one hiss off the ground. It's potent venom can kill in less then twenty minutes. Sometimes, mambas wander into people territory and attacks are almost always fatal to humans. Black mambas unlike other snakes, bite many times to defend itself. Without antibiotics for the mambas bite, people can't survive. Wear boots and pants when entering mamba territory. If you see a mamba in a town and you accidently corner one, give it some space and give it a way to escape and alert the presence of the snake to the locals. People kill mambas because they are a deadly snake and want to get them away from their towns and villages. Experts handle mambas with care. This snake may be deadly, but it also deserves our respect.

Saltwater Crocodiles

Saltwater crocodiles are one of the most dangerous animals, and the largest reptile in the whole world. Saltwater crocs live in Asia, Indonesian islands, and Australia. They eat prey the size of adult humans. These crocs slide up onto land and wait for prey to walk by, then they eat what ever they can and leave the parts it doesn't eat, they store for later. There top speed is as fast as a person. These crocs can be 20 feet long and weigh 10 times heavier than an alligator snapping turtle. Their tails launch themselves out of the water when they sense a human has entered their territory. The crocs have knife like teeth that can serve a human arm or leg with just one bite. Crocodiles have been around longer then sharks, and the dinosaurs. Saltwater crocs bite with 2,000 pounds of pressure per square inch. Crocs have sensors around their jaws and mouth to help them locate dead or dying animals on land or in water. Did you know that crocs swallow stones to help grind up tough meat. After they bite, they go into a death roll to tear off a chunk of flesh. In the past, people hunted crocs to make clothing. Do not swim in places that have dangers on dangle your arms or legs in croc country. When camping, get as far as you can get from the water. Also, clean fish far from the water. People are trying to see where crocs are so they can lower the attacks on people. If a croc sneaks up on you, it will take only seconds before you are in the most powerful jaws on earth.

Video 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=fmrSHUghG28

Video 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=-o7nLZWyinI


Snapping Turtles

If you are in a lake or pond, watch for eyes because one wrong move and you can be face to face with a snapping turtle. These turtles have been known to be mean when pulled out of the water. Most of the time, the attacks on humans is when the turtles mistake a human limb for fish and will cut right through a persons hand or foot if corned. Common snappers live through more than half of the USA. Alligator snappers live only in the southern parts of the USA. Common snappers can be 50 pounds while alligator snappers are 200 pounds. All snappers have a very long tail that it takes up half of the turtles body length. It's shell is serrated with sharp points for defense. The alligator snapper eats only fish and lures in the fish with a worm like tongh.    Common snappers are omnivores and eat algae, fish, frogs, salamanders, water foul, and other turtles. Snapping turtles also eat human flesh that they bite. Always beware of those sharp jaws. When going into hibernation, these turtles hide in mud, logs, and dead plants. The snappers don't come to the surface until the water has melted and they get the air through their mouths and throats. Snappers mate for life and every year, the female comes onto the shore to lay 40 eggs. the eggs re the size of tennis balls which are kind of big. Once she is done laying, the snapper will abandon her eggs and slide back into the water. Common snapper eggs take 55 to 125 days to hatch and alligator snapper eggs take 100 to 140 days to hatch. Common snappers take 4 to 19 years to become adults and alligator snappers take 11 to 13 years to become adults. 1 out of 1400 eggs survive to become adults. The predators are like alligators, skunks, raccoons, bears, coyotes, and humans. We have been using snapping turtles meat to make soups and meals. Humans also at turtle eggs to. Unlike other turtles, snappers can't pull their legs and head into their shell all the way, but they are very well protected with claws and sharp jaws.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lf4QCZHterQ